Talking Cedar

What Talking Cedar does

Talking Cedar is a craft brewery, distillery, and full-service restaurant operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation on tribal land in Grand Mound (Rochester), Washington. The company was founded following the 2018 overturning of an 1834 discriminatory law that had prohibited alcohol distillation on Native American lands, making Talking Cedar the first tribally-owned distillery in the United States, with Kayak Gin as its inaugural spirit. The business operates a 35,000 sq. ft. facility featuring a 25-ft continuous still described as the largest west of the Mississippi, 31,000+ liter fermentation tanks, custom Italian pot stills, a 60 BBL brewhouse with six 120-barrel fermenters, and a private on-site well sourcing from the local aquifer.

Revenue is generated across five streams: on-site restaurant sales (lunch, dinner, dessert with Pacific Northwest cuisine), packaged spirits sales (gin, brandies, whiskeys, specialty flavors), canned and bottled beer sales (flagship IPAs, lagers, seasonal releases), private event rentals (two rooms accommodating up to 60 guests), and contract distilling and brewing services for industry partners with stated capacity of 10,000 barrels of whiskey per year and ~1,860 gallons of beer per batch. The go-to-market combines a direct-to-consumer on-site retail and dining experience, an event-driven brand awareness layer amplified by earned media (Forbes, New York Times, Eater, Whiskey Advocate), and a three-state wholesale distribution network covering Washington (Crown, Northwest Beverage, Walton, Soaring Eagle), Oregon (Nelson Beverage Group), and Idaho (Hayden Spirits). Customer segments include general consumers seeking authentic local craft beverages, private and corporate event bookers, and beverage industry partners seeking contract production capacity. The company has 101-250 employees, is privately held under tribal ownership with no external investors identified, and has received multiple industry awards including SIP Magazine Double Gold, Platinum, and Judges Pick designations and a New York World Spirits Competition Silver Medal for Kayak Gin.

Name

Talking Cedar

Legal name

Talking Cedar

Website

https://talkingcedar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Talking Cedar, operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, runs a 35,000 sq. ft. craft brewery, distillery, and restaurant in Grand Mound, WA, serving on-site diners, three-state wholesale markets, private events, and contract production partners as the first tribally-owned distillery in the U.S.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewery and Distillery

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Distilleries (312140), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD), Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF)

Keywords

• Craft brewery operations
• Craft distillery products
• Restaurant dining services
• Event venue rentals
• Contract beverage production

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Sales: On-site restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and dessert with indoor and patio dining. Features locally-sourced Pacific Northwest cuisine including grilled salmon, house-smoked tri-tip salad, and homemade beer soup.
2. Spirits Sales: Direct retail sales of distilled spirits including gin, brandies, whiskeys, and flavored specialty drinks. Online and on-site bottle sales.
3. Beer Sales: Canned and bottled beer sales including flagship IPAs, lagers, and seasonal releases. Direct sales and through distribution network.
4. Event Rentals: Private event space rentals for birthdays, bridal showers, corporate events, and celebrations. Two event rooms (Coho and Blueback) with wet bar, smart TV, and AV access for up to 60 guests each.
5. Contract Distilling & Brewing: Premium contract distilling and brewing services for industry partners. Capability to produce 10,000 barrels of whiskey per year and 1,860 gallons of beer per batch.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Talking Cedar operates a 35,000 sq. ft. combined craft brewery, distillery, and restaurant on Chehalis Tribal land in Grand Mound, Washington, producing craft beer, gin, brandies, whiskeys, and flavored specialty spirits for retail and wholesale distribution. The company also runs an on-site Pacific Northwest restaurant serving lunch and dinner, hosts private events in dedicated venue rooms, and provides contract distilling and brewing services to industry partners at scale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Talking Cedar Restaurant Full-service on-site restaurant featuring locally-sourced Pacific Northwest cuisine including grilled salmon, house-smoked tri-tip salad, and homemade beer soup, with indoor and patio dining available daily. Targets general consumers and visitors seeking a unique indigenous-owned dining experience.
• Craft Beer Portfolio Flagship and seasonal craft beer lineup including Pacific Northwest IPA, Juicy IPA, Imperial Juicy IPA, Pilsner, Amber, Chehalis Light (American Style Lager), Raspberry Blonde, Baltic Porter, Apple Brandy Stout, and Hop Water. Sold directly on-site, online, and through distribution across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
• Craft Spirits Portfolio Award-winning craft spirits including Kayak Gin (made with foraged Douglas Fir, Juniper, Mountain Yarrow, and Nootka Rose botanicals), Small Batch Gin, barrel-finished brandies, whiskeys, and ongoing collaborations with Westland Distillery on premium American Blended Malt Whiskey and Single Cask offerings. Available direct and through WA, OR, and ID distribution.
• Private Event Rentals Rental of two private event rooms (Coho and Blueback) with wet bar, smart TV, and AV access for up to 60 guests each, featuring birdseye views of active brewery and distillery production. Available for birthdays, bridal showers, corporate events, and celebrations.
• Contract Distilling Services B2B contract distilling and production services leveraging Talking Cedar's 25-ft continuous still, custom Italian pot stills, and 90-liter hillbilly stills for partner distilleries. Designed for breweries, distilleries, and brand owners requiring large-scale premium spirit production.
• Contract Brewing Services B2B contract brewing and co-packing services using the 60 BBL brewhouse and six 120-barrel fermentation tanks for partner breweries requiring large-batch production capacity.
• Retail Bottle and Growler Sales Direct-to-consumer retail sales of bottled and canned craft beer, spirits, and growler fills at the on-site shop and online store, supplementing restaurant and wholesale revenue streams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning portfolio including SIP Magazine Double Gold, Platinum, and Judges Pick awards
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Westland DistillerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with Westland Distillery for premium American Blended Malt Whiskey and Single Cask offerings. This partnership leverages Westland's expertise in American single malt whiskey production.
• Premium Northwest (PNW)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership for distribution and co-marketing of craft beverages.
• Bird Creek DistilleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership for whiskey distribution and marketing collaboration.
• Packwood BrewingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership for brewing collaboration and distribution.
• Douglas LagerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership for lager distribution and co-marketing.
• LivewireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership for beverage distribution.
• 3 MagnetsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership for craft beverage collaboration.
• 210 Brewing CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial release collaboration on Imperial IPA, uniting Washington's only tribally owned brewery with 210 Brewing Co.
• Crown DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeer distribution partner for Western Washington covering Grays Harbor, Lewis, Cowlitz, Pacific, Wahkiakum, and South Thurston counties.
• Northwest BeveragecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeer distribution partner for Western Washington covering King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, Clallam, and South Island counties.
• Walton BeveragecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeer distribution partner for Western Washington covering Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and North Island counties.
• Soaring Eagle DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary distributor for Eastern Washington beer and all Washington spirits. Located at 19770 Sargent Road NW, Grand Mound WA 98579.
• Nelson Beverage GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOregon spirits distribution broker at 5083 Hastings Ct, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.
• Hayden SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIdaho spirits distribution partner at 2910 E Amity Rd, Boise, ID 83716.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Westland Distillery: Washington-based American single malt whiskey producer and Talking Cedar's active collaboration partner on premium American Blended Malt Whiskey and Single Cask offerings. Most directly comparable craft distillery peer in the same geography.
• Rogue Ales & Spirits: Oregon-based craft brewery and distillery with on-site restaurant, tasting room, and multi-state distribution. Closely aligned vertically integrated craft beverage and hospitality model.
• Woodinville Whiskey Co. Washington craft whiskey producer with national distribution and award-winning straight bourbon and rye. Comparable craft distillery scaling beyond regional reach.
• Oola Distillery: Seattle craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and specialty spirits with tasting room and distillery tours. Comparable boutique craft distillery in the Pacific Northwest.
• Copperworks Distilling Company: Seattle craft distillery producing gin, vodka, whiskey, and cask-finished spirits with an on-site tasting room. Directly comparable small-batch craft distillery operating in the same regional market.
• Heritage Distilling Company: Washington craft distillery operating multiple tasting rooms across the Pacific Northwest with broad spirits portfolio including gin, whiskey, and brandy. Directly comparable vertically integrated producer-retailer model.
• 3 Magnets Brewing: Washington craft brewery with taproom and identified brand partnership with Talking Cedar. Directly comparable regional craft producer with on-site consumer experience.

Broad incumbents

• Diageo North America: Global spirits giant with portfolio across whiskey, gin, vodka, and beer. Provides benchmark for the broader competitive set and end-state scale that premium craft distillers may pursue or face as acquisition partners.
• Deschutes Brewery: Established Oregon craft brewery with broader geographic distribution, multiple taprooms, and a pub-scale hospitality model. Larger and more diversified than Talking Cedar but a regional craft comparable.

Regional players

• Bale Breaker Brewing Company: Yakima, Washington craft brewery with taproom and regional distribution. Comparable Pacific Northwest craft beer producer with similar on-site experience model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/talkingcedarproduction
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talking-cedar
• Instagraminstagram.com/talking.cedar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Talking Cedar